“After story time, Josiah had to take his nap, and I set the timer for half an hour and played on the computer. My big brother let me play his World War II game. It’s really fun.” “Jonathan’s Journal”
Nap tips for preschoolers and toddlers continued from yesterday….
6. Surround the naptime with routine. I always had a noontime schedule that went something like this with my littles: lunch, lunch clean up (older kids did this while I nursed baby or did toddler’s short story time—see earlier posts about story time), storytime for one to two hours, then naps for two hours. My toddlers always took three hour naps and played in crib for another hour or so. My preschoolers always read with me for an hour or two then slept for two hours. Then they asked if they could get up. If, for some reason they awoke early and the other kids and I were in the middle of a project or needed for the little one to rest a little while longer, the little one lay in bed and looked at books or did a quiet activity. This routine went on for years and years, literally! Everybody knew what to expect.
7. Use talking books or radio dramas (like Your Story Hour or Adventures in Odyssey) if your kids need something to listen to while they drift off to sleep. (For toddlers, I often used Christian lullabyes, Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em in Your Hearts, or Scripture tapes.) As my preschoolers got older and could operate the tape player by themselves, they could put tapes in if they woke up too early from naps or in the mornings.
8. You determine when a child outgrows his nap. For me, when the child could not fall asleep at night at his normal bedtime or would lie in bed all afternoon without falling asleep, I knew naptime was coming to a close for that preschooler. This usually happened around age six or so in our home. However, usually until age seven or eight, at least, everybody had a quiet time after story time. This meant that for an hour everybody would lie down and look at books, listen to tapes, etc. When I had five children nine and under (and all of them were at home with me all the time), I needed to know that out of the thirteen hours or so everyday that Ray was at work, I had an hour in which nobody needed anything. I always looked forward to that hour and would eat my lunch, plan my lessons, read parenting/homeschooling books, etc.
It sounds trite and even a little regimented in writing, but it simply wasn’t so. It was almost glorious, actually. Having content, cooperative, sweet preschoolers was the added benefit of keeping my little ones on good schedules, including necessary naps.
You can do this! And you will be so glad you did when you (and everybody around you) enjoy having your little ones around.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
day 145: preschoolers--naps...part i of ii
“After story time, Josiah had to take his nap, and I set the timer for half an hour and played on the computer. My big brother let me play his World War II game. It’s really fun.” “Jonathan’s Journal”
The other preschool area that this excerpt alludes to is that of nap time. We were blessed early in our child rearing years to have families a little bit older than we leading the path in baby, toddler, and preschool parenting. We learned so many things from them, including having Bible time, training little ones to obey, reading stories before naps, enforcing nap times and bed times, and much more. (Never underestimate the power you have to model/influence others through your parenting.) Little did I know, when we just had Joshua, how crucial it would be in my mothering (and my sanity!) to have well-established routines and schedules—especially that of nap times.
I will enumerate some nap time tips today and tomorrow that I have learned through my twenty-seven years of parenting:
1. Naps are for Mom just as much as they are for the little ones. Smile…
2. Children were given to parents to protect and care for them. Part of this is discerning when and what your child needs to eat, how much sleep (and when) he requires, what is safe for a child at various ages, etc. In other words, you need to be the one to determine your child’s bed time, rising time, and nap time—based on his needs and your family dynamics.
3. Naps, just like anything else you want your little ones to do, are learned behaviors. If you religiously lay all children down in the afternoon every day at 1:00 (or whenever) in the same way that you buckle them in the car, it WILL BE just like buckling them in the car. There will not be a daily struggle to put kids down for naps anymore than there is a twenty minute fight when getting in the car.
4. If you have not implemented nap schedules but allowed kids to fall asleep or not fall asleep while watching cartoons (and consequently, be grouchy later in the day because they needed sleep they did not get), it will not be easy to start daily naps. However, the long term benefits far outweigh any small inconvenience and struggle it may be to make naps a daily habit. If your children do not nap but are irritable from four until six every afternoon, it is probably because they need naps. (Come to think of it, if you are irritable every day from four to six, it is probably because you need naps too! Smile…)
Nap tips continued tomorrow….
The other preschool area that this excerpt alludes to is that of nap time. We were blessed early in our child rearing years to have families a little bit older than we leading the path in baby, toddler, and preschool parenting. We learned so many things from them, including having Bible time, training little ones to obey, reading stories before naps, enforcing nap times and bed times, and much more. (Never underestimate the power you have to model/influence others through your parenting.) Little did I know, when we just had Joshua, how crucial it would be in my mothering (and my sanity!) to have well-established routines and schedules—especially that of nap times.
I will enumerate some nap time tips today and tomorrow that I have learned through my twenty-seven years of parenting:
1. Naps are for Mom just as much as they are for the little ones. Smile…
2. Children were given to parents to protect and care for them. Part of this is discerning when and what your child needs to eat, how much sleep (and when) he requires, what is safe for a child at various ages, etc. In other words, you need to be the one to determine your child’s bed time, rising time, and nap time—based on his needs and your family dynamics.
3. Naps, just like anything else you want your little ones to do, are learned behaviors. If you religiously lay all children down in the afternoon every day at 1:00 (or whenever) in the same way that you buckle them in the car, it WILL BE just like buckling them in the car. There will not be a daily struggle to put kids down for naps anymore than there is a twenty minute fight when getting in the car.
4. If you have not implemented nap schedules but allowed kids to fall asleep or not fall asleep while watching cartoons (and consequently, be grouchy later in the day because they needed sleep they did not get), it will not be easy to start daily naps. However, the long term benefits far outweigh any small inconvenience and struggle it may be to make naps a daily habit. If your children do not nap but are irritable from four until six every afternoon, it is probably because they need naps. (Come to think of it, if you are irritable every day from four to six, it is probably because you need naps too! Smile…)
Nap tips continued tomorrow….
Thursday, May 27, 2010
day 144: preschoolers—entertainment/game systems and computer time
“After story time, Josiah had to take his nap, and I set the timer for half an hour and played on the computer. My big brother let me play his World War II game. It’s really fun.”
“Jonathan’s Journal”
We have a few days of preschool tips to cover with “Jonathan’s Journal” (after our detour for read alouds, devotionals, etc. for several days). In today’s excerpt, Jonathan did one thing and didn’t do another. That is, he played on the computer, and he DIDN’T take a nap (because he was five and had outgrown his nap)! Today—electronic games. Tomorrow preschoolers’ naps.
I have talked extensively on this blog early in the year about television and other forms of entertainment and their effect on behavior, love for learning, academics, reading, and more. That is not to say, however, that we do not watch movies or play computer games. We have found that by not being able to get television stations and not having game systems, we have eliminated much of the addiction to entertainment that many families deal with. Yes, we can watch dvd’s, but that is far from being able to flip on the television and watch television any time of the day or night. (And keeping our television on a rolling cart in a closet that has to be pulled out, plugged in, etc. in order to watch a dvd on it has also reduced the amount of time it is used.)
As for game systems, we are not ones who believe children should never play electronics. However, by not getting any games systems (hand held or otherwise), we have been able to control electronic games much more than if we had these things available any time. In today’s passage, Jonathan played a computer game. Yes, it is still available to play—but as many as eight other people also needed that same computer (before we started our publishing company and had multiple computers), and it had many other purposes (writing reports, research, communication, etc.). Someone playing a game on it was last on the list each day.
We have allotted our kids thirty minutes a day to play computer games—if the computer is available that day during a time (after school hours!!!) that the child is available to play it. This has resulted in computer time being used about thirty minutes a day three days a week or so. (We had no “carry over” minutes—that experiment was a disaster with this number of children!)
Our advice wouldn’t be so much to get a game system or not, let your children play computer games or don’t—but rather to control it religiously. Again, why would a preschooler build with Legoes or do a floor puzzle with baby brother with a Playstation that he can play at any time calling his name?
This leads me to one final piece of advice in this area (for today!): do not let your children turn on the television, game system, or computer game anytime they want. At the very least, have set hours (no tv until after four; no computer or video game until all homework is done or no electronics Monday through Thursday, etc.)—and make a rule that children must ask before they turn anything on. Children do not have the decision making skills to determine how to use their time, what to watch, when to stop, etc. That is why they have parents.
“Jonathan’s Journal”
We have a few days of preschool tips to cover with “Jonathan’s Journal” (after our detour for read alouds, devotionals, etc. for several days). In today’s excerpt, Jonathan did one thing and didn’t do another. That is, he played on the computer, and he DIDN’T take a nap (because he was five and had outgrown his nap)! Today—electronic games. Tomorrow preschoolers’ naps.
I have talked extensively on this blog early in the year about television and other forms of entertainment and their effect on behavior, love for learning, academics, reading, and more. That is not to say, however, that we do not watch movies or play computer games. We have found that by not being able to get television stations and not having game systems, we have eliminated much of the addiction to entertainment that many families deal with. Yes, we can watch dvd’s, but that is far from being able to flip on the television and watch television any time of the day or night. (And keeping our television on a rolling cart in a closet that has to be pulled out, plugged in, etc. in order to watch a dvd on it has also reduced the amount of time it is used.)
As for game systems, we are not ones who believe children should never play electronics. However, by not getting any games systems (hand held or otherwise), we have been able to control electronic games much more than if we had these things available any time. In today’s passage, Jonathan played a computer game. Yes, it is still available to play—but as many as eight other people also needed that same computer (before we started our publishing company and had multiple computers), and it had many other purposes (writing reports, research, communication, etc.). Someone playing a game on it was last on the list each day.
We have allotted our kids thirty minutes a day to play computer games—if the computer is available that day during a time (after school hours!!!) that the child is available to play it. This has resulted in computer time being used about thirty minutes a day three days a week or so. (We had no “carry over” minutes—that experiment was a disaster with this number of children!)
Our advice wouldn’t be so much to get a game system or not, let your children play computer games or don’t—but rather to control it religiously. Again, why would a preschooler build with Legoes or do a floor puzzle with baby brother with a Playstation that he can play at any time calling his name?
This leads me to one final piece of advice in this area (for today!): do not let your children turn on the television, game system, or computer game anytime they want. At the very least, have set hours (no tv until after four; no computer or video game until all homework is done or no electronics Monday through Thursday, etc.)—and make a rule that children must ask before they turn anything on. Children do not have the decision making skills to determine how to use their time, what to watch, when to stop, etc. That is why they have parents.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
day 143: “faith” books for teens—story of stories
A “faith” book that I have used with all seven of my children—for over a dozen years now—is a “Bible” in story form that is not a picture book but is more of a Bible “cliff notes,” so to speak. It is called “The Story of Stories: The Bible in Narrative Form” by Karen C. Hinckley.
I read it to my older children many years ago, and this winter, the boys and I added it to our morning reading routine. It is 352 pages long and is easy, clear reading. Think of putting the Bible into “story form, “ summarizing it, etc. That is what this book is all about.
While I wouldn’t substitute this book for the Bible, my kids and I have enjoyed the overview of the Bible, the reminding of the stories, etc. that we have shared in this book.
Additionally, we have done something unique this time around. We have read a part of “Story of Stories,” then listened to the audio version of the Bible that correlates with that reading. In this way, it is taking a long time to get through “Story,” but it has been interesting to read this and then listen to the real thing as we do our chores, etc.
I recommend this book for family reading with kids ages twelve and up, especially. It is short enough that about sixty fifteen minute sessions is enough to read the entire book aloud. Check it out at the link below!
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Stories-Bible-Narrative-Form/dp/0891096256/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274739953&sr=1-2-spell
I read it to my older children many years ago, and this winter, the boys and I added it to our morning reading routine. It is 352 pages long and is easy, clear reading. Think of putting the Bible into “story form, “ summarizing it, etc. That is what this book is all about.
While I wouldn’t substitute this book for the Bible, my kids and I have enjoyed the overview of the Bible, the reminding of the stories, etc. that we have shared in this book.
Additionally, we have done something unique this time around. We have read a part of “Story of Stories,” then listened to the audio version of the Bible that correlates with that reading. In this way, it is taking a long time to get through “Story,” but it has been interesting to read this and then listen to the real thing as we do our chores, etc.
I recommend this book for family reading with kids ages twelve and up, especially. It is short enough that about sixty fifteen minute sessions is enough to read the entire book aloud. Check it out at the link below!
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Stories-Bible-Narrative-Form/dp/0891096256/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274739953&sr=1-2-spell
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
day 142: “faith” reading with teens—“in his hands—a family devotional”
One of our all-time favorite morning read aloud books (our devotion time together) is a little-known book called In His Hands. It is incredible and wonderful.
"In His Hands—A Family Devotional Book" is a yearly devotional with entries of one page each. Every entry begins with a Scripture then has a four to six-paragraph explanation that goes along with that verse. The paragraphs all have to do with science or history---animals, rainbows, inventions, nature, scientific theories, plants, trees, people, and more. It is filled with little-known facts about all of these things---and each one is tied into a Scripture that makes you scratch your head and say, “I never knew that! What a Creator!”
The book is set up in daily devotionals of four to six paragraphs each. Each entry begins with a Scripture then has amazing facts about an animal, bird, insect, etc. and then applies that to a spiritual truth. The entries can be read aloud in five to seven minutes—perfect quick devotional for before school or bedtime.
My boys and I just love this book and often read two or three entries in a given morning. We are learning more about science than any science textbook could teach us---because it is tied to Scripture and the Lord in such a way and has such interesting tidbits of information. "In His Hands" is written by James A. and Priscilla Tucker and was published in 1999 by the Institute of Outdoor Ministry, Inc. (The Tuckers have other outdoor materials, object lesson books, and periodicals as well.)
Unfortunately, my search for “In His Hands” has led me to find that it is no longer being published. You can find it used, however, and I encourage you to do so. If you come up empty handed in that search, the Tuckers have written another devotional that I just received in the mail that is extremely similar to “In His Hands.” It is called “Nature Quest” and is set up much like the one I described above. (Some if the entries are even the same as "In His Hands," so I think this would be equally as good and useful.)
Here is part of a review of “Nature Quest”:
“Whether or not you consider yourself a nature-lover, experiencing any of these 366 devotionals will give you a new perspective on the world of nature. Each story is primarily a portrayal of some element of nature and how incredible it is with a small but necessary religious application at the end. The author uses God's natural world to draw the conclusions, rather than other authors who attempt to push their own conclusions on the reader. An excellent read, and good luck trying to read one per day!”
This can be purchased from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Quest-James-Tucker/dp/0828008655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274738832&sr=1-1
Monday, May 24, 2010
day 141: “faith” reading with teens—unlocking the mysteries of creation
Nearly twenty years ago we went to our state’s homeschool convention and met someone who would forever change our lives—and help us in our children’s “faith” teaching more than we could imagine. The person I am describing is a man named Ken Ham. The ministry he began and continues to operate is Answers in Genesis.
We went to every session of his that weekend, took furious notes, and spent as much as our little budget would allow at his booth. We drove home at the end of that conference more excited than ever about teaching our children about God, the Bible, faith, character, and more.
When we got home, Ray did something that would become a yearly tradition for us—he went in at eleven o’clock, woke the kids up, and shared what we had learned that weekend. (I can’t believe I actually tried to talk him out of waking them now when I look back on what this little act did in terms of love for learning and much, much more!)
He pulled out book after book (mostly picture books at that time) that we had purchased from Answers in Genesis, showed the kids the pictures, told them what Mr. Ham had said about this or that. Excitement for school, devotions, learning, and family time was at an all time high.
One of the books that we purchased that weekend (not by Ken Ham, but still great, nonetheless) has become a family favorite—and is an ideal book for early teens and up. It is called “Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation,” and it is beautiful, informative, and interesting.
From the website:
“Experience an awesome journey of discovery! This Unique treasury of historic and scientific knowledge puts life-changing keys in your hands to understand our world and its amazing past. 240 pages of beautifully designed photography and artwork amplify the engaging text. This book will help you discover the scientific accuracy of the Bible; unveil the fallacies of evolution; and build unshakeable confidence in God's Word. Designed to help families build a trustworthy Biblical worldview, it introduces a vast treasure of faith-building resources. One of the most user-friendly and comprehensive introductory books ever published on the subject of Biblical creation.”
And it truly is! It can be confusing to look through creation resources. What is good for a certain age? What is a good introductory type book? This book is an amazing starting point. The insets and sidebars are helpful—reminiscent of an Usborne or Kingfisher book. It doesn’t give too much detail that a new “creation reader” would find confusing—but it does give tons of helpful info.
And at $28 for a hardcover, full color, beautiful book, it is an awesome deal!
The link that follows will get you to the author’s site where you can actually see pages of the book. There is also an interactive cd-rom that I am drooling over right now. We do not have the cd, but sure want it!
This is the perfect “faith” building devotional/read aloud for families with kids ages ten to eighteen. You will love it—and so will your kids! (I should do a commercial for this book! LOL!)
http://www.creationresource.org/Shopping_cart/books/Book_Pages/unlocking_mysteries.htm
day 141: “faith” reading with teens—unlocking the mysteries of creation
Nearly twenty years ago we went to our state’s homeschool convention and met someone who would forever change our lives—and help us in our children’s “faith” teaching more than we could imagine. The person I am describing is a man named Ken Ham. The ministry he began and continues to operate is Answers in Genesis.
We went to every session of his that weekend, took furious notes, and spent as much as our little budget would allow at his booth. We drove home at the end of that conference more excited than ever about teaching our children about God, the Bible, faith, character, and more.
When we got home, Ray did something that would become a yearly tradition for us—he went in at eleven o’clock, woke the kids up, and shared what we had learned that weekend. (I can’t believe I actually tried to talk him out of waking them now when I look back on what this little act did in terms of love for learning and much, much more!)
He pulled out book after book (mostly picture books at that time) that we had purchased from Answers in Genesis, showed the kids the pictures, told them what Mr. Ham had said about this or that. Excitement for school, devotions, learning, and family time was at an all time high.
One of the books that we purchased that weekend (not by Ken Ham, but still great, nonetheless) has become a family favorite—and is an ideal book for early teens and up. It is called “Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation,” and it is beautiful, informative, and interesting.
From the website:
“Experience an awesome journey of discovery! This Unique treasury of historic and scientific knowledge puts life-changing keys in your hands to understand our world and its amazing past. 240 pages of beautifully designed photography and artwork amplify the engaging text. This book will help you discover the scientific accuracy of the Bible; unveil the fallacies of evolution; and build unshakeable confidence in God's Word. Designed to help families build a trustworthy Biblical worldview, it introduces a vast treasure of faith-building resources. One of the most user-friendly and comprehensive introductory books ever published on the subject of Biblical creation.”
And it truly is! It can be confusing to look through creation resources. What is good for a certain age? What is a good introductory type book? This book is an amazing starting point. The insets and sidebars are helpful—reminiscent of an Usborne or Kingfisher book. It doesn’t give too much detail that a new “creation reader” would find confusing—but it does give tons of helpful info.
And at $28 for a hardcover, full color, beautiful book, it is an awesome deal!
The link that follows will get you to the author’s site where you can actually see pages of the book. There is also an interactive cd-rom that I am drooling over right now. We do not have the cd, but sure want it!
This is the perfect “faith” building devotional/read aloud for families with kids ages ten to eighteen. You will love it—and so will your kids! (I should do a commercial for this book! LOL!)
http://www.creationresource.org/Shopping_cart/books/Book_Pages/unlocking_mysteries.htm
day 140: “devotional”—faith reading for ten to fourteen year olds
In the lower end of this age range, I continue with some of the suggestions from previous days. However, in the upper end of this age range, I try to move into discipleship type of books that we read aloud together. I will give you some ideas below.
1. Bible
a.The Bible itself! We like to read aloud from Proverbs oftentimes in the mornings. If you do not feel like you know what to read from the Bible, of course, you can look up specific stories in the index and just read Bible stories. Reading the Gospels is always a good choice for preteens—giving meaning to the whole idea of “What Would Jesus Do?”
b. Family Bible Library—I reviewed this book earlier in the year (and suggested it for the upper end of of the three to six age group). My ten to twelve year olds still really enjoyed this set of books. It is so different than the typical “Bible story book” as it is ten volumes—so the stories are much more detailed in here than they are in other picture book types of Bible stories. If you are looking for a story book series for your ten to twelve year olds to read and learn Bible stories himself, this series can’t be beat either. http://positiveparenting3-6-5.blogspot.com/2010/02/day-fifty-nine-think-of-yourself-as.html
c. Bible studies—at this age, I like to have my kids do Bible studies themselves in addition to our reading together. I used Kay Arthur Bible studies for my olders (and various homeschool Bible books for my youngers). http://www.a1books.com/HOW-STUDY-YOUR-BIBLE-KIDS/0736903623/catalog
2. Picture books by Christian authors have character, Bible, and faith message. As I said in the preschool lists, I love using picture books to teach many things to my children—faith and Bible, counting, alphabet, science, history/geography, relationships, character, and more. My tweens love the picture books below (that really read more like chapter books with pictures—they are lengthy books that we read like we do chapter books—a little at a time):
a. “Dangerous Journey” (Illustrated Pilgrim’s Progress)--
http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/(S(aoiw1bmbgbpoql45npwgmbeb))/product/Dangerous-Journey-Book,5475,224.aspx
b. “Tales of the Kingdom,” “Tales of the Resistance,” and “Tales of the Restoration” by Karen Burton Maines—If your children enjoy allegories and you want to do “faith” books that are exciting and interesting stories but not full length chapter books, you will love these! My kids do! http://www.sundaysolutions.com/talesproducts.html
3. Creation Science Books—I have talked a lot about the importance of teaching true creation—and the blessing that Answers in Genesis has been to our family. At this age, however, the creation science books are perfect. The kids are old enough to sit through longer ones (with more text on each page, but still some pictures). We loved animal and dinosaur books especially.
a. Answers in Genesis also has an amazing search engine that lets you search by age group. This is especially helpful in choosing creation science book because you do not want to get one with too much text for a four year old but too little text for a ten year old. The link that follows is for twelve to fourteen year olds. If youa re new to reading creation science books to your children, start with the hardcover picture books at this link—they are amazing! http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/catalog/1214-Years-Old,186.aspx
b. Animal picture books—We love reading animal creation science books. I have found that they span a large age range because everybody loves learning tidbits about animals! Try this one---but also look at ones at the Answers in Genesis collection. “The Bible Discovery Collection Bible Animals”—by Bruce Barton, James Galvin, Michael Kendrick, Daryl Lucas, David Veerman, Neil Wilson (looks out of print, but some on Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Animals-Discovery-Collection/dp/084231038X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273891237&sr=1-3
Some faith-building read aloud ideas for teens starting tomorrow! Then we'll wrap up Jonathan's Journal. THEN spend at least a month on helping your kids in the summer--whether your children are homeschooled, public, or private. Lots of help coming your way! smile...
1. Bible
a.The Bible itself! We like to read aloud from Proverbs oftentimes in the mornings. If you do not feel like you know what to read from the Bible, of course, you can look up specific stories in the index and just read Bible stories. Reading the Gospels is always a good choice for preteens—giving meaning to the whole idea of “What Would Jesus Do?”
b. Family Bible Library—I reviewed this book earlier in the year (and suggested it for the upper end of of the three to six age group). My ten to twelve year olds still really enjoyed this set of books. It is so different than the typical “Bible story book” as it is ten volumes—so the stories are much more detailed in here than they are in other picture book types of Bible stories. If you are looking for a story book series for your ten to twelve year olds to read and learn Bible stories himself, this series can’t be beat either. http://positiveparenting3-6-5.blogspot.com/2010/02/day-fifty-nine-think-of-yourself-as.html
c. Bible studies—at this age, I like to have my kids do Bible studies themselves in addition to our reading together. I used Kay Arthur Bible studies for my olders (and various homeschool Bible books for my youngers). http://www.a1books.com/HOW-STUDY-YOUR-BIBLE-KIDS/0736903623/catalog
2. Picture books by Christian authors have character, Bible, and faith message. As I said in the preschool lists, I love using picture books to teach many things to my children—faith and Bible, counting, alphabet, science, history/geography, relationships, character, and more. My tweens love the picture books below (that really read more like chapter books with pictures—they are lengthy books that we read like we do chapter books—a little at a time):
a. “Dangerous Journey” (Illustrated Pilgrim’s Progress)--
http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/(S(aoiw1bmbgbpoql45npwgmbeb))/product/Dangerous-Journey-Book,5475,224.aspx
b. “Tales of the Kingdom,” “Tales of the Resistance,” and “Tales of the Restoration” by Karen Burton Maines—If your children enjoy allegories and you want to do “faith” books that are exciting and interesting stories but not full length chapter books, you will love these! My kids do! http://www.sundaysolutions.com/talesproducts.html
3. Creation Science Books—I have talked a lot about the importance of teaching true creation—and the blessing that Answers in Genesis has been to our family. At this age, however, the creation science books are perfect. The kids are old enough to sit through longer ones (with more text on each page, but still some pictures). We loved animal and dinosaur books especially.
a. Answers in Genesis also has an amazing search engine that lets you search by age group. This is especially helpful in choosing creation science book because you do not want to get one with too much text for a four year old but too little text for a ten year old. The link that follows is for twelve to fourteen year olds. If youa re new to reading creation science books to your children, start with the hardcover picture books at this link—they are amazing! http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/catalog/1214-Years-Old,186.aspx
b. Animal picture books—We love reading animal creation science books. I have found that they span a large age range because everybody loves learning tidbits about animals! Try this one---but also look at ones at the Answers in Genesis collection. “The Bible Discovery Collection Bible Animals”—by Bruce Barton, James Galvin, Michael Kendrick, Daryl Lucas, David Veerman, Neil Wilson (looks out of print, but some on Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Animals-Discovery-Collection/dp/084231038X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273891237&sr=1-3
Some faith-building read aloud ideas for teens starting tomorrow! Then we'll wrap up Jonathan's Journal. THEN spend at least a month on helping your kids in the summer--whether your children are homeschooled, public, or private. Lots of help coming your way! smile...
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